The collection consists of the name index to pension files held at the National Archives. The files relate to service between 1861 and 1934. Most of the files are for Union Civil War service but also include the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection, Boxer Rebellion and Regular U.S. military forces. The index is in alphabetical order.

−

+

−

The collection consists of the name index to pension files held at the National Archives. The files relate to service between 1861 and 1916. Most of the files are for Union Civil War service but also include the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection, Boxer Rebellion and Regular U.S. military forces. The index is in alphabetical order.

+

−

+

−

The index was produced to provide easier access to the full pension application files.&nbsp;

+

−

+

−

This index covers service files between the years 1861 and 1916.&nbsp;

+

State and federal governments filed pension records so as to keep track of the fund leaving the treasuries to support the veterans and widows of wars.&nbsp;The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints then obtained this collection to help individuals find information about their ancestors.

State and federal governments filed pension records so as to keep track of the fund leaving the treasuries to support the veterans and widows of wars.&nbsp;The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints then obtained this collection to help individuals find information about their ancestors.

Line 55:

Line 49:

== How to Use the Record ==

== How to Use the Record ==

−

To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links:<br> ⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page<br> ⇒Select the "Surname Range" category which takes you to the images<br>

+

Fill in your ancestor’s name in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

−

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Use this index to help you learn more about your ancestors, whether war achievements or previously unknown biological information. To search for your ancestors in the index you will need to know their full names.

+

If you are having difficulty finding your ancestor, look for variations in the spelling of the name. If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names. Remember that these indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.

If you are having difficulty finding your ancestor, look for variations in the spelling of the name. If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names. Remember that these indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.

−

Compare the information in the record to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination.

+

==== Using the Information ====

−

+

−

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. This information will often lead you to other records.

+

−

For example:

+

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. This information will often lead you to other records. For example:

*Death dates may lead to death certificates, mortuary, or&nbsp;cemetery records.

*Death dates may lead to death certificates, mortuary, or&nbsp;cemetery records.

Line 73:

Line 64:

*Use the birth date or age along with the residence or place of birth of the deceased to locate census, church, and land records.

*Use the birth date or age along with the residence or place of birth of the deceased to locate census, church, and land records.

−

You may also find these search tips helpful:

+

==== Tips to Keep in Mind ====

*Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname as the deceased; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.

*Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname as the deceased; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.

*Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have been seeking the pension.

*Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have been seeking the pension.

*When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

*When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

Record Description

The collection consists of the name index to pension files held at the National Archives. The files relate to service between 1861 and 1934. Most of the files are for Union Civil War service but also include the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection, Boxer Rebellion and Regular U.S. military forces. The index is in alphabetical order.

State and federal governments filed pension records so as to keep track of the fund leaving the treasuries to support the veterans and widows of wars. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints then obtained this collection to help individuals find information about their ancestors.

Pension applications are usually reliable, depending on the memory of the applicant and the records to which he had access.

For a list of records by surnames currently published in this collection, select the Browse.

Citation for This Collection

The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.

How to Use the Record

Fill in your ancestor’s name in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

If you are having difficulty finding your ancestor, look for variations in the spelling of the name. If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names. Remember that these indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.

Using the Information

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. This information will often lead you to other records. For example:

Death dates may lead to death certificates, mortuary, or cemetery records.

Use the age to calculate an approximate birth date.

Use the birth date or age along with the residence or place of birth of the deceased to locate census, church, and land records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname as the deceased; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.

Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have been seeking the pension.

When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

Related Websites

Related Wiki Articles

Contributions to This Article

We welcome user additions to FamilySearch Historical Records wiki articles. Guidelines are available to help you make changes. Thank you for any contributions you may provide. If you would like to get more involved join the WikiProject FamilySearch Records.

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections

When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.